Amtrak Offers To Continue Honoring Shore Line East Tickets

Passengers walk on the platform at Union Station in Washington, D.C., July 11, 2011.

Passengers walk on the platform at Union Station in Washington, D.C., July 11, 2011.

(Olivier Douliery / McClatchy-Tribune)

The Day, New London (TNS)

Amtrak has offered to continue cross-honoring certain Shore Line East tickets on Acela Express Train 2151.

"I propose that while Amtrak is operating the Shoreline East service for the State of Connecticut, and space is available on Acela Express 2151 along with proper reimbursement from Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT), we will continue to cross-honor the commuter tickets until ConnDOT can offer a similarly-scheduled commuter service departure time," Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman wrote in a letter Tuesday to Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

The agreement is subject to approval from the state.

Last week, Blumenthal advocated at a news conference for Amtrak to continue to accept Shore Line East tickets on Acela Express trains. He said it's not only a means for residents to get to work, but the whole state's way of avoiding congestion and helping the environment.

Blumenthal said he was concerned that Amtrak was considering ending its practice of cross-honoring monthly Shore Line East tickets on the Acela Express train 2151, from New London to New Haven, after September.

Amtrak currently accepts multiride Shore Line East tickets on several weekday Amtrak trains, including an Acela train, according to Shore Line East's website.

About 22 Shore Line East ticket-holders commute each day on the train, Blumenthal wrote In a letter to Boardman.